Leslie Ash signs up for Quadrophenia remake

Work on the 'Quadrophenia' sequel is moving forward, with Leslie Ash and Gary Shail the latest stars agreeing to return

Leslie Ash and Gary Shail have signed up for the 'Quadrophenia' sequel.

The two stars have agreed to reprise the roles of Steph and Spider, who they played in the 1979 classic movie - which is based on the music of The Who - in the upcoming film, even though the project doesn't have the backing of the 'Baba O'Riley' group.

And though the film has been delayed because of Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend's objections, production is now well underway, and movie bosses are hoping to sign up some more big names to feature alongside Leslie, Gary, and previously-announced returning cast members Phil Daniels,Toyah Wilcox, Mark Wingett, and Trevor Laird.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "There was a battle with The Who which delayed filming. It has now been resolved and production is moving forward.

"Leslie Ash and Gary Shail are on board and bosses are in talks with a big name that is being kept under wraps."

Roger, 72, recently slammed the follow-up as "nonsense".

He said: "It's just someone fishing to make some money. It becomes a nonsense."

The original movie centred on the rivalry between gangs of mods and rockers in 60s Brighton.

But Roger does not think that a follow-up set in the present day would do the original movie justice.

He added: "The whole point of 'Quadrophenia' was that it was a moment in time captured in a film.

"That moment in time is gone. It doesn't matter what those characters are doing now. It was about what we all went through at that age."

Earlier this year, Roger described plans to make a 'Quadrophenia' follow-up as "opportunist".

He said: "It's just a money-making exercise.

"'Quadrophenia' stands on its own and is an iconic film. We haven't given this project our blessing.

"If someone wants to make a new film about mods, that's up to them, but they can't use our characters and trade off our creation by calling it an authorised sequel, which it is not. It seems a bit opportunist."

The much-discussed new movie is based on Peter Meadows' book 'To Be Someone', which was inspired by the original film.